BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Selectors have rung the changes for Barbados’ sixth round clash against Leeward Islands in the Regional Four-Day Champ-ionship this weekend, following the side’s embarrassing innings and 66-run defeat to Guyana on Monday.
They have axed five players, including former captain Ryan Hinds, in an attempt to rescue Barbados’ campaign.
Veteran left-armer Pedro Collins has been dropped after just one match while Kenroy Williams, Justin Greaves and Rashidi Boucher have also been released.
All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite has been recalled after returning to fitness while Dwayne Smith, Kevin Stoute and Jomel Warrican have all gotten the nod from selectors in the 13-man squad.
Hinds, Barbados’ most prolific batsman in recent years, has paid the price for poor form this season.
In four matches, the left-hander has managed just 123 runs at an average of 17.
His selection was the centre of controversy ahead of the last round when he was dropped only to be dramatically reinstated in a 14-man squad. The selection panel subsequently resigned.
“When you look at Ryan’s eight innings this season, he has been below par. He is not really displaying that confidence that we are accustomed to,” chairman of the new interim Barbados selectors, Livy Coppin said on the Barbados Cricket Association website.
“But I believe once Ryan continues to work on his game, he can regain his place in the team.”
Smith, meanwhile, will play his first match of the season following his return from the Bangladesh Premier League while Warrican, a 19-year-old left-arm spinner, is poised for his first class debut if he makes the final XI.
Shamarh Brooks, whose appointment as skipper for the last round in the absence of the injured Kirk Edwards also caused much controversy, will lead the squad again.
SQUAD – Shamarh Brooks (captain), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Kyle Hope, Christopher Jordan, Omar Phillips, Dwayne Smith, Kevin Stoute, Jomel Warrican.
